Incorporated Episodes 2-5 Reviews: Bacon Is Very Expensive In The Future

After five episodes, I'm still not sure I'll make "Incorporated" must see viewing but it have a number of interesting futuristic elements. In 2074 agri-companies Spiga and Inazagi control the planet. The world is divided into red zones and green zones. You definitely want to live in the green zone.

Ben Larson (whose real name is Aaron) is on a desperate search to find Elena (real name Anatasia) whom he knew years ago. They grew up together in the red zone. Her family's restaurant burned down. They didnt have money for fire insurance so the fire department refused to save the establishment. Elena's father Gustavo ends up in debtors prison (well it's called a "debtor repayment center"). Elena eventually agrees to a job as a call girl for Arcadia (an executive club that services Spiga) in the hopes of getting her father released before he dies. Ben uses his position at work (his mother-in-law Elizabeth is a high ranking Spiga exec) to locate Elena.

We see a number of flashbacks to a younger Ben, Elena and her brother Theo. Ben proves he has the mad skills to survive any situation. Theo's not too shabby himself. He's currently working a prize fighter and enforcer.

Ben's coworker Roger is on Elena's trail and makes an appointment using to his father's (George Caplan) influence. Roger wants the promotion that Ben is up for and will do anything to get it. Yes, Roger is a despicable person but he, like everyone else on this show, is stuck in a terrible situation. His father references brother Mitchell (who had a bad neural implant). George wants Mitchell out of his house with Roger's help. Roger threatens to cut Elena's face with a corkscrew but she's tough and won't budge. Plus she doesnt know Aaron is going by the name Ben Larson now.

Thanks to help from fellow red zoner Hendrick (real name Reed), Ben is in the room below them and can hear everything that's going on. He hacks into the hotel's air filtration system and releases something noxious. I guess the hotel is used to this sort of thing since gas mask are available nearby.

Roger is not deterred though and gets all the intel he needs from Gustavo. Roger confronts Ben but things end badly for him. You should know better than to go up against the main character dude.

Ben's wife Laura wants to have a baby. In the future no one actually carries a child to term (because it would interfere with their work productivity). Instead they use surrogates from the red zone. Parents also predetermine everything about their child-- gender, appearance, DNA, etc.

Laura also has an interesting past (but she doesnt know about Ben's). She was attacked in the red zone some eight years and still experiences trauma as a result. We're not sure of the specifics. She confides in Julian that she is having issues. He is a sympathetic listener.

In corporate news, a high ranking Inazagi employee named Diana defects to Spiga. She does this because she is pregnant. In exchange for protection and a new face, she tells Elizabeth that a wonder kid at Inazagi has a sea water filtration program that will give the world all the crops they need (since they'll be able to use sea water).

So What Have We Learned So Far From "Incorporated"?

You think your job is bad? Try working at Siga or Inazagi.
I would have to break my bacon addiction. Bacon in 2074 costs $500. Eek!!!
You job can kill you... literally.
If you are invited to the Quiet Room... don't go!
The Red Zone can be a fun place to let your hair down... but then again, you might be killed.
Drugs (and neural implants) are encourages if they help increase your work performance.
The 29th amendment allows corporations to function as sovereign nations. Each company has its own army. I will avoid making any political jokes here... although it's very tempting.
Your NDA (non disclosure agreement) is no joke in the future.

Grade: 3 3/4 Monsters (out of 5). The jury is still out for me on "Incorporated". It does have some interesting sci fi elements but suffers from pacing problems. I'll check back intermittently to see how it's going.